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EFF: T-Mobile "Binge On" Is Just Throttling of All Data (eff.org)

Posted by samzenpus on from the slowing-things-down dept.

onedobb writes: Tests confirm that when Binge On is enabled, T-Mobile throttles all HTML5 video streams to around 1.5Mps, even when the phone is capable of downloading at higher speeds, and regardless of whether or not the video provider enrolled in Binge On. This is the case whether the video is being streamed or being downloaded—which means that T-Mobile is artificially reducing the download speeds of customers with Binge On enabled, even if they're downloading the video to watch later. It also means that videos are being throttled even if they're being watched or downloaded to another device via a tethered connection.

1 of 227 comments (clear)

  1. But.. that's exactly what they SAID it does. by damnbunni · · Score: 5, Informative

    I don't get the complaint.

    Binge On specifically says that certain providers don't count against your data cap at all, and others will be processed to use less data.

    Quoted from http://www.t-mobile.com/offer/... :

    Stream unlimited video FREE on your favorite streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, HBO, Sling, ESPN, Showtime, Starz and more without ever using your high-speed data.

      Plus, almost all other video streaming is optimized for mobile so you watch 3 times more video with your data plan.

    So what's the headline here? 'Telco provides exactly the service they claim to provide'?

    If they were downgrading video when Binge On was turned OFF, then THAT would be news.